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The Movie Network launches two more high-definition channels

The launch of MExcess HD and MFun! HD brings The Movie Network's total HD offering to four dedicated HD channels

TORONTO, Dec. 2 /CNW/ - Astral Media's The Movie Network today announced the launch of two additional high-definition channels - MExcess HD and MFun! HD - available free of charge to subscribers of The Movie Network. Launching today, the two new 24-hour dedicated HD channels join The Movie Network's host of premium offerings that consist of five uncut and commercial-free multiplex channels including HBO Canada, two existing HD channels, The Movie Network OnDemand and TMN OnLine.

As multiplex channels of The Movie Network, MExcess provides sexy, thrilling, action-packed movies, while MFun! is a destination sure to guarantee a laugh with funny and family friendly movies and comedy specials. The new HD channels will mirror the programming available on MExcess and MFun!'s respective standard-definition channels.

"With the addition of these new channels, The Movie Network and its classic movie service, Mpix, have five HD channels collectively and boast the most HD movies of any network in Canada," said Domenic Vivolo, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Astral Television Networks. "As a premium service, it is incumbent upon us to continually research and offer products and services our subscribers want. Research has shown that there has been a consistent increase in the demand and use of HD and the launch of these new channels is a testament to our continued commitment to satisfying our subscribers and adding value to their subscription to The Movie Network."

The Movie Network is the first broadcaster to provide regularly scheduled programming in HD and Dolby Digital 5.1. surround sound since 2001. The Movie Network HD launched in May 2005 and simulcasts all programming from The Movie Network's main channel; while HBO Canada HD, introduced in October 2008, offers parallel programming to HBO Canada's standard-definition channel.

MExcess HD and MFun! HD launched today on Rogers and Cogeco Cable and will launch with Bell TV on Wednesday, December 9. The new channels will roll out on EastLink and all other areas of Eastern Canada in the coming weeks.

The Movie Network is a pay television service available in eastern Canada. With premiere access to Hollywood hit movies, new and exclusive HBO content, critically-acclaimed Showtime series and first-rate Canadian programming, this pay-television service presents Canadians with some of the best television entertainment available. The Movie Network service includes five 24-hour multiplex channels - M, HBO Canada, MExcess, MFun! and MFest - which deliver diverse and entertaining programs in an uncut and commercial-free television environment. The Movie Network also offers The Movie Network HD, HBO Canada HD, MExcess HD and MFun! HD, four dedicated high-definition channels providing hundreds of titles in HD; The Movie Network OnDemand, a Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) service, available in select areas across eastern Canada; and, TMN OnLine an Internet-based content streaming service available to BellTV subscribers. For more information, please visit www.themovienetwork.ca.

The Movie Network is an Astral Media Television Network. Astral Media is a leading Canadian media company, active in specialty and pay television, radio, outdoor advertising and iMedia. Astral Media's solid and dynamic presence in the country's major markets rests on its commitment to offer a unique combination of high-quality, targeted media for all its audiences.

SOURCE Astral Media Inc.

For further information: For further information: Media contact: Roopa Shah, Astral Television Networks, (416) 956-8584, rshah@tv.astral.com